Former Wimbledon finalist Agnieszka Radwanska has announced her retirement from professional tennis.

The 29-year-old from Poland, once ranked number two in the world, says she is quitting for the sake of her health and fitness.

In a statement on the WTA website, she said: "I'd like to share with you one of the most important decisions of my life. Today, after 13 years of playing tennis competitively, I have decided to end my career.

"This was not an easy decision. I am grateful to have so many special memories, including 20 WTA titles, the WTA Championships in Singapore, a Wimbledon final, and so many others.

"Unfortunately I am no longer able to train and play the way I used to, and recently my body can't live up to my expectations.

"Taking into consideration my health and the heavy burdens of professional tennis, I have to concede that I'm not able to push my body to the limits required."

Radwanska reached the Wimbledon final - her only final appearance at a grand slam - in 2012 where she was beaten in three sets by Serena Williams.

She also reached the semi-finals of the Australian Open twice and was a quarter-finalist at the French Open.

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John Isner beat Nicolas Mahut 70-68 in the fifth set in 2010. Credit: PA

Wimbledon’s marathon matches have been consigned to the past after the All England Club announced the introduction of final-set tie-breaks when the score reaches 12-12.

One of the most famous matches in Wimbledon history saw John Isner beat Nicolas Mahut 70-68 in the fifth set in 2010 while the change was prompted by another match involving Isner, when the American lost to Kevin Anderson 26-24 in the final set in this year’s semi-finals.

The knock-on effect meant the second semi-final between Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal had to be completed the following day, causing a two-hour delay to the women’s final.

The new rule will apply to all matches at next year’s tournament.

Chairman Philip Brook said: “In reaching this decision, the AELTC Committee sought the feedback of both players and officials, analysed two decades of match data, and considered other factors including scheduling complexities and spectator experience.

“Our view was that the time had come to introduce a tie-break method for matches that had not reached their natural conclusion at a reasonable point during the deciding set."

Wimbledon is the second grand slam to introduce final-set tie-breaks, with singles matches at the US Open decided by a tie-break at 6-6.

Williams will equal Margaret Court's all-time record if she beats Kerber. Credit: PA

Serena Williams put on a superb display of power and athleticism to reach her 30th grand slam singles final.

The 23-time champion, who will equal Margaret Court's all-time record if she beats Kerber on Saturday, needed just an hour and 10 minutes to defeat Julia Goerges 6-2 6-4.

Williams, who gave birth to daughter Alexis Olympia just over 10 months ago, produced the most impressive display of her comeback and will now attempt to stage a repeat of the 2016 final, when she defeated German Kerber.